Van Dessel’s Aloominator marks a new direction for the niche brand based in New Jersey. While aluminum cyclocross frames are nothing new for the company, this is the first model handmade in the US. Van Dessel founder Edwin Bull worked with Zen Bicycle Fabrication of Portland, Oregon, to develop this bike, borrowing from his successful Gin and Trombones model. Zen uses highly manipulated 6061 alloy tubing to build the Aloominator, which is finished with an anodized matte gunmetal gray.

The Aloominator is available as a frame and fork or as a complete bike. Bull has always given buyers the option to build their bikes the way they want, so the Aloominator is available for both disc and canti brakes. The disc version comes with an Easton EC90XD fork, while the canti version comes with an ENVE ’cross fork—both retail for $1,599. The build on the demo model I tested includes a mix of SRAM Red/Force drivetrain components with hydraulic disc brakes and Easton EA90XD wheels.

On my test ride, the Aloominator felt stiff and efficient in the bottom bracket and chainstays as it responded positively to pedaling with crisp acceleration. It felt the same even when I was laboring on the pedals with increased, out-of-the-saddle efforts.

Through the dry, swoopy singletrack of Interbike’s Outdoor Demo, it was easy to establish a rhythm and finesse the bike with a shift of the hips when the tires broke loose, and it flicked around sharp rocks with similar ease. While there were no barriers, I tried several dismounts and carries and found the Aloominator to be well balanced and easy to hoist onto my shoulder and run with. In fact, my first impression when lifting the bike was that it was light—the claimed weight on the frame is 1,350 grams. Overall, I found the Aloominator very competent and fun in the various conditions available at the Outdoor Demo, and I expect we’ll seeing them at the races very soon.